LA Beauty Beat Black Pioneers- Annie Malone
Happy Black History Month fellow Beaters!!! In honor of those who have Beat before us, I have decided to showcase their lives each week in the month of February. Today we salute Annie Turnbo Malone. I am sure most of you are saying, “Who?” Ms. Malone actually taught Madame CJ Walker about the black beauty industry. Let’s check her out:
During the late 19th century, African American women used soap, goose fat, and heavy oils to straighten their hair. Chemical straighteners often damaged the scalp and hair follicles. While living in Illinois, around the turn of the century, Malone developed a chemical product that straightened African American hair without damage. She claimed to have studied chemistry and to have been influenced by an aunt who was trained as an herbal doctor. She expanded her hair care line to include other beauty products, including her popular Wonderful Hair Grower. Some historians also credit Malone with developing the pressing iron and comb around this time. Malone sold her products locally.
One of her Malone’s recruits was Madame C.J. Walker, who eventually founded her own company with similar beauty products and distribution. She is widely regarded as the most successful black entrepreneur of the early 20th century and founder of the black beauty business in the United States. However, historians credit Malone with having developed her products and distribution system first. Walker sold her own “Wonderful Hair Straightener,” which Malone called fradulent imitation. As a result, Malone trademarked Poro, a new name for her product and merchandising systems in 1906. (Poro is a West African word for an organization dedicated to disciplining and enhancing the body spiritually and physically.)
Malone believed that if African American women improved their physical appearance, they would gain greater self-respect and achieve success in other areas of their lives. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Wow, sounds like Ms. Malone and Ms. Walker were a little competitive with their Beat. I certainly learned a thing or two. Hope you enjoyed our Black History Beat and can’t wait to discover some more pioneers. Ready…Set…BEAT!!!
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8 Comments for LA Beauty Beat Black Pioneers- Annie Malone
I love this concept. Keep it coming!
Great info. Looking forward to the next installment.
Good stuff! I remember hearing that Madame Walker had sold products for someone, I just couldn’t remember who. Thanks for refreshing my memory.
Finally, someone is giving recognition to Annie Turnbo Pope Malone, who has been almost removed from black history. She played an important role as an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and philanthropist such that had it not been for Annie Malone, there would be no Madame Walker. I am making it my life’s mission to honor Mrs. Malone by getting her name out to the public, as it well deserves to be. Thanks for writing the article about Annie Malone. Black Americans, particularly those in Black hair care, deserve to know the truth about how it all began.
I have nearly completed my biography of Mrs. Annie Turnbo Malone. She indeed deserves much more recognition than she has received. Much of the available internet information is either incorrect or incomplete. I am delivering a paper on her life this October at the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH)
I have a Diploma from the school where Anniem.Pope-Turnbo-Malone taught with her signtureand her divo rce husband,do you think anyone would be interested in purchasing it so that others can see it?
Mr. Whitfiled before completeing your biography of Mrs. Malone please contact me I have a piece of information to research and share with you.
Thank You,
Linda Malone
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